Tonight, the biggest music festival in the country will take place - with the aim of choosing Malta's 31st entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. Over the course of the last quarter of 2017, the one hundred and twenty nine songs submitted for the competition were whittled down to just sixteen - which will all be performed live tonight from the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta' Qali.

The show will begin at 21:00 and will be broadcast live on TVM / TVM HD. The compère of this year's show will be Colin Fitz. Opening this year's show will be last year's winner, Claudia Faniello - who will reprise her winning song from last year, "Breathlessly". The sixteen acts taking part in this year's festival will take to the stage in the following order as seen below; in addition, they will be seen in postcards before their performances at various local heritage sites across the island.

Alongside the main attration of the festival, there will be a number of interval acts. Claudia Faniello will take to the stage during the voting with her band, whilst last year's Maltese entrant at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Gianluca Cilia, will reprise his song "Dawra Tond", followed by a brand new song in a similar style - "Wam Bam". Performances by Analise Dance Company will also feature in the show throughout. The result of this year's contest will be determined by a jury and a televote, each having a 50% share in the result. The jury - whose names will be announced during the show, compromises of five members. The public will be able to vote by calling 5230 21XX (the last two numbers being the singers' number in the running order). Only one vote per phone will be accepted.

In addition to the main show on TV, Public Broadcasting Services will also offer a backstage glimse to the proceedings online - TVM's presenters will be live giving the immediate reactions of the participants backstage, whilst other cameras will offer views of what is happening behind the scenes. The "second screen" footage can be accessed at https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/secondscreen/.

ESCFlashmalta would like to wish all of the performers tonight the best of luck.

Eurovision fever is slowly gripping Malta - the nation's national selection for the world's most watched music contest is coming to it's climax this weekend. Of the one hundred and twenty-nine entries submitted for contention in this year's local festival, just sixteen made it to the televised selection. We had the chance to catch up with some of the competitors of this year's show during their preperations. One of these was the veteran participant, Eleanor Cassar who will be singing “Back to Life”.

Hi Eleanor, thanks for taking the time out for this interview! How does it feel to be part of the sixteen finalists for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest?

I am very happy to be back as I believe in this song BACK TO LIFE.

You’ve been missing from the Malta Eurovision scene for the last few years. What have you been up to in the meantime? Was it by coincidence that you decided to come back this year?

In the meantime I became a mother of a beautiful daughter. I thought about it last year. Spoke to my friend Glen Vella, so he helped me to find the composers so we try and find the right song.

Tell us more about your song, "Back to life”. What is it about? In your opinion, what makes your song an ideal candidate for Eurovision?

The song is about a person who was suffering from psychological abuse, were now is out of it and got the life back. It is modern pop song, powerful and really suits my voice.

How are your preparations going so far? Are there any surprises that you can tell us about?

The only thing I can say is that I will be alone.

When you’re searching for a song to add to your repertoire is there anything in particular that you’re looking for?

It is the style and also that is good for my voice.

Are you following the Eurovision Song Contest in general? If so, are there any stand-out entries for you from the past?

There are many. But my favourite one is MOLITVA

Do you have a personal goal for the competition?

Well it is a completion so I would like to win. But it is a chance also to be seen.

What styles of music are you usually listening to these days? Is there anything you look for in a song that makes you enjoy it?

I am listening to POP/SOUL music.

When you’re not singing – what can you usually be found doing?

I love cooking, swimming …I love to go out for a good dinner in a nice restaurant and of course playing with my daughter.

What can we expect from you once the MESC-madness is over?

At the moment, I don’t have any plans, but most probably I would love to release a video for Back to life.

Thanks for your time Eleanor, and best of luck at this year’s Malta Eurovision Song Contest!

I would like to thank everyone for the support as I am receiving great feedback regards the song and now i am looking forward to perform on stage.

After 129 entries were submitted and two elimination phases, the finalists for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest has been announced. The reveal was shown this evening during the evening news on TVM - where the shortlisted artists were seen at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, learning their fate as the competition progresses to the next stage.

Since the first eliminatory phase which was announced on September 15th, the thirty shortlisted entries were filmed while performing their entries live. This footage was then reviewed by a number of local and international expert juries in order to establish sixteen finalists. These finalists will take to the stage at the Malta Eurovision Song Contest in a live show at the beginning of next year.

From the list of sixteen finalists, twelve of them have reached the finals of the Malta Eurovision selection in the past - five of them featuring in last year's final. Around half of the songs have been produced locally - whilst the others are by international teams based in the United Kingdom and Sweden - some of them also being behind songs of finalists and winners in the Eurovision Song Contest previously. Richard Micallef, who will perform his entry with his father, was of course part of the group "Firelight", who reached the final for Malta back in 2014.

The newcomers to the festival are 18 year old Matthew Anthony, Aidan, Avenue Sky (which Aidan is also a member of) and Dwett - consisting of Mikhail & Cherylis. Last year, Mikhail was seen auditioning in Romania with his song "Sail Back" for their national selection process.

More details about the 2018 Malta Eurovision Song Contest are expected to be announced by Public Broadcasting Services in due course. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

Public Broadcasting Services Malta (PBS) have announced a shortlist which made it through the first eliminatory phase of the 2018 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, the island's well followed selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest. The news was revealed online at tvm.com.mt after the TVM evening news on Friday, September 15.

A total of 129 entries were submitted to PBS, twenty-seven less than the year before. From these, the broadcaster has shortlisted thirty, which will be further shortened to sixteen within the next month. The list of names announced features a feast of seasoned professionals on the Malta Eurovision scene, along with a number of new names. No details of songwriters have been announced, but it is expected that songs are by a mix of local and international composers.

Abire Sekkaki - Casablanca Love

Aidan - Dai Laga

Aidan - See You

Avenue Sky - We Can Run

Brooke Borg - Heart of Gold

Christabelle Borg - Taboo

Dan - If Only

Danica Muscat - One Step At A Time

Deborah C - Turn It Up

Deborah C & Josef Tabone - Human

Dominic Cini - Pictures

Eleanor Cassar - Back To Life

Ishmael Grech - Good Times

Jasmine Abela - Supernovas

Kelsey Bellante - Super Woman

Kevin Paul Calleja - Great Adventure

Kimberley Curtis - Monsters

Kurt Anthony Cassar - You Will Find Me

Lawrence Gray - Love Renegade

Malcolm Pisani - Kiss

Matthew Caruana - Call 2morrow

Mikhail Attard & Cherylis Camileri - Breaking Point

Miriana Conte - Rocket

Nicole Azzopardi - Mixed Feelings

Petra Whiteford - Evolution

Raquel Galdes - In My Mind

Rhiannon Micallef - Beyond Blue Horizons

Richard & Joe Micallef - Song For Dad

Stefan Galea - Closer

Tiziana Calleja - First Time

International fans will surely recognise the names of Richard Micallef and Nicole Azzopardi - the former representing Malta in 2014 as part of "Firelight", and the latter taking part for Malta in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back in 2010. Other notable mentions can be made to Eleanor Cassar - returning after a number of years away from the local festival scene, in addition to Christabelle Borg - re-entering the festival after working on her first EP with international producers.

It has been said that during these past couple of days, singers have been invited to a live audition phase in order to hear how their songs sounded when interpreted live. During this elimination phase, a number of local and international expert juries will be involved to choose the top sixteen finalists which will then compete during the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2018. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

'The Celebrity Night' is a weekly television programme which has become somewhat synonymous with Saturday evening, is broadcast on F Living Channel. The series which officially kicked off at the beginning of October revolves around the one-to-one interviews, which speak of class, decadence and wit, and have become synonymous with Deo Grech's presenting style.

Eleanor Cassar is one of the leading pop singers in Malta with remarkable voice capabilities. She specialises in pop, ballad and dance music. She was born in 1982. Her success story started in 1993 at the age of 11 after her school teacher encouraged her to participate in musicals and theatrical events. Eleanor’s passion for music and acting led her to join her home town theatrical group Skene, whereby she was entrusted with main roles and solos as well as a number of a cappella during several acts throughout the years. She is a veteran of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, having made the finals in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. She will be joined on the show by Jolene Micallef, an actress as well as GordonBonello, Producer of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2014 and also a Delegation Member of the Eurovision Team in Copenhagen, and Vienna, respectively.

This and much more during this week's episode of 'The Celebrity Night' which airs on Saturday night at 20:30 on F Living Channel. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.comeven through Facebookand Twitter for all the latest news about the local music scene.

Paul Ellul, a renowned local lyricist, has compiled all song lyrics in written between 1991 and 2013 along with some other poems in a new book, "Fejn Staħbejtli". The chosen title is a reflection of the most well known song ever written by the aforementioned Ellul, with singer/songwriter Ira Losco being the recipient winner of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza back in 2001.

It will be officially launched on the 17th January 2015, at Sir Temi Żammit Hall in the University of Malta with live performances by Gillian Attard, Eleanor Cassar, Glen Vella, Nadine Axisa, Cherise Attard, Roseann Cordina, Mark Tonna, Ivan Spiteri Lucas, Roberta Cassar, La Voix Academy Choir and Debbie Scerri. The latter, will also be hosting the evening, with Mark Spiteri Lucas set to accompany each performance on the keyboard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuBz940gpSc

The 400-page publication, with original designs, may be obtained at the end of the evening, with proceeds going directly to the Millennium Chapel in Paceville. Entrance to the event, being organised in conjunction with KSU, Għaqda tal-Malta - Università, Outlook Coop, APS, and Copyserv is strictly by invitation, which may be requested by sending an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebookand Twitter for all the latest news from the local music scene.

Following the success of the second edition of the concert ‘The Prayer’, organized by Blue Circle Events and Aldo Busuttil, a new Christmas concert with a difference will be organized this year. When the lyrical singer was preparing material for his new album ‘Con Amore’ he got the idea of including other songs synonymous with the Christmas festivities. As the name of the album and the fourteen tracks imply, Christmas is the time to celebrate and spread the love The Lord Himself has shown us when he come amongst us as a human being.

The concert ‘Con Amore on Christmas’ will not only include traditional Christmas songs but also various songs starting from the Operatic and Neapolitan repertoire and modern day songs. From Naples we will listen to the Tarantella, and a collection of popular songs, which will certainly bring a smile to your face under the direction of Mro. Manoel Pirotta with the participation of the ‘La Voix’ choir under the direction of Mro. Joseph Chircop. Also from Naples we will hear a rendition of ‘O Sole Mio’ during which Aldo Busuttil will interpret the version ‘It’s Now or Never’ in honor of the legendary Elvis Presley on the eightieth anniversary of his career.

The Christmas songs will get the audience in the mood for this wonderful time of year and will include Mro. Pirotta's classical adaptation to the popular song ‘Santa Clause is Coming to Town’. Other popular numbers include Do Hear The People Sing’ from the musical ‘Les Miserables’, Mamma and Parlami D’Amore Mariu.

Other highlights will include various duets with guest artists Gaia Cauchi, Eleanor Cassar and Karl Luke Schembri who together with Aldo Busuttil will interpret Un Amore CosiGrande, In Amore, Vivo Per Lei and Caro Gesu Bambino. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for more of the latest news from the local music industry.

Bulebel in Żejtun is currently hosting the annual Beland Music Festival with a variety of spectacular concerts taking place over a period of 9 days, entertaining various crowds. Following their coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest last night, attention remains on a similar scene with Four Decades of Pop taking place later on this evening. The line-up which includes several artists who have already been a part of the international spectacle mentioned before hand will have the opportunity to sing LIVE with the Beland Band under the direction of Mro. Ray Sciberras.

Carlo Borg Bonaci will be the host for the evening whilst some alternative form of entertainment will also be offered by the Paul Curmi Dance Company. The vocal line-up includes; Olivia Lewis, Glen Vella, Chiara, Mary Spiteri, Ozzy Lino, Eleanor Cassar, Neville, Alexia, Gillian Attard and the La Voix Academy. We urge you to attend the event at Bulebel in Żejtun and remind you that entrance is FREE but any donations made will be given to Puttinu Cares, one of the most respectable charities in Malta. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even on Facebookand Twitterfor all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

In just a week, escflashmalta.com will be publishing a review of the year, one which was extremely successful within the eyes of musical luminaries and fans of Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest but today, we celebrate Christmas, one of the most special holidays in the world. We thank you for always choosing this portal, as your main news portal with regards to news about the local music scene.

We have been around for almost four years, and in that time, we have noted down several artists who have unveiled tunes in relation to the holiday, including none other than MalcolmPisani, KevinBorg, Josmar, Eleanor Cassar, Morena, Georgina, DebbieScerri, Bartolo Sisters, Miriam Christine, Andrew Zammit, Paul Giordimaina, Enzo Gusman, Carmen Gusman, Chiara, Ludwig, Corazon, Deborah C and many others. It is always important to stay current and original with such showtunes. Of course, most of the material denoted above was released in a compilation disc in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza with musical arrangements by Andrew Zammit and original lyrics by Fr George Ocar Buttigieg.The editorial team at escflashmalta.com would like to wish you ALL a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Tomorrow, co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat with vocals provided by Gianluca represented Malta at this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, getting through to the final, and ultimately achieving the nations' first top ten result in eight (8) years, when Chiara took to the stage for the second time with her self-penned entry Angel which had finished in second place. As of today, the Public Broadcasting Services will be receiving submissions from a number of music personnel with the hope of making it through to the final stages of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2014.

Within the document entitled Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Regulations, the submission process along with anything one might enquire about is duly explained. The Creativity Hub, which just happens to be the new Head Office for the Public Broadcasting Services is where all the original entries for the competition are to be submitted with the allocate time slots being between 09:00 and 12:00 CET as well as 14:00 and 16:00 CET on Wednesday, 30th and Thursday 31st October 2013. In recent weeks, escflashmalta.com exclusively published the names of a series of artists who intend to take part within the pre-selection process including; Tiziana Calleja, Kaya, Minik, Ina Robinich, Fabrizio Faniello, RichardEdwards, JosefTabone, GlorianaArpaBelli, Janvil and Eleanor Cassar.

Amongst those who went onto submit their prospective entries included; Malcolm Pisani, JamieTonna, Jessica Magro, Joseph Refalo, Davinia Pace and Julie Pomorski. Tomorrow, members of the editorial team will be on hand outside the Creativity Hub in order to follow the latest proceedings and try to eye out prospective artists who will be putting their name forward in hope of making it through to the biggest music event in the country, the Malta Eurovision Song Contest. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com over the coming days, weeks and months for all of the latest news with regards to next years' competition.

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ESC Flash Malta is an all music related news agency with the primary focus to cover the Maltese and Eurovision music scene. We work with reknown sources to bring to you the best news cover at a moments' notice. To receive premiere updates in your email, we highly recommend to register for our free newsletter.